Sunday Signal February 21, 2021 by Signal

FEBRUARY 21, 2021

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F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES 6 7 8 9

Seeking Sasquatch How new habits are changing our workspace Snow season is here: time to hit the slopes Creating sweet options for diets with restrictions

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

SignalSCV.com Presents Podcasts

10 Recapturing that movie magic at the drive-in

HEALTH 11 11 To Your Good Health: Rapid heartbeat appears normal on EKG

FOOD

12 Celebrate National Margarita Day!

RESTAURANTS 13 13 Restaurants now open for outdoor dining

ENTERTAINMENT 14 14 McDormand shines (again) — this time in ‘Nomadland’

SENIOR LIVING

15 A Second Wind: Humor and healthy aging

SCV Leadership and Business Solutions with Lisa and Paul Raggio Helpful advice on life and business

HOME 16 16 Do-it-yourself strategies to deep-clean carpeting

Selina Thomas SCV’s HR Guru

TECHNOLOGY 17 17 How to do your online shopping like a pro

GARDENING 18 18 Prepare for your springtime garden

PETS 19 19 Expert tips for welcoming a new kitten home

KIDS & FAMILY

2 0 Donna’s Day: A tasty slow-cooker granola the family will enjoy Junior Whirl • World Fact

“She makes your business her business.”

AUTOMOTIVE 21 2 1 What to look for when test driving preowned vehicles Understanding what ‘certified-preowned’ means

OPINION 22 PUZZLES 23 SPORTS

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4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

By Steve Y. Kim, CEO

As many of you may have already heard, a project to build the Sand Canyon Resort & Spa has been underway for some time but has been met with some opposition due to misleading information. Therefore, in hopes to clear up these misconceptions and help alleviate the concerns of Sand Canyon residents, I want to address some of the misinformation shared by those who oppose the Sand Canyon Resort Project. After taking over a desolate golf course in 2016 and making every effort to repair it, our community along with many golfers have come to enjoy the Sand Canyon Country Club and residents have been able to restore their peaceful lives while looking down on the beautifully transformed course. Four years have passed since the 36-hole course was remodeled to 27 holes and the Sand Canyon Resort & Spa project began on the remaining 9 holes. When I first thought of starting the resort development project, I strongly believed that this project was a positive development for our community that would not only benefit the residents of the nearby area, but also the citizens of Santa Clarita. Hence, I was determined to devote all of my passion to this meaningful project and anticipated that my passion and pure intentions would be welcomed by the community. Unfortunately, while the environmental impact assessment and public hearing were in progress, we encountered unexpected difficulties due to false and inaccurate information spread by the Sand Canyon HOA and the “Stop Sand Canyon Resort” campaign. Sand Canyon consists of two HOAs — the Sand Canyon HOA, formed many years ago, and the Robinson Ranch HOA, formed when the golf course was built and made up of residents of the Sand Canyon Community. I have diligently communicated with both HOAs affected by this project. At Robinson Ranch HOA, adjacent to the project site, positive feedback was received as they were glad to have a high-end resort with nice restaurants, golf courses, tennis courts, walking trails, dog park, and playground for kids. They were excited that they could provide comfortable and relaxing experiences for their friends and guests visiting the area. On the other hand, when I held a briefing session with the residents of the Sand Canyon HOA, where most of these members live far away from the resort project, I encountered unexpected opposition. After the briefing session, I prepared materials regarding the project based on information provided by experts to help alleviate the residents’ concerns and asked the HOA to deliver them to the Sand Canyon Residences. Surprisingly, I was notified by the HOA president that the board members decided not to deliver the data. Since then, channels for communication with the residents of the Sand Canyon HOA have been completely cut off and residents have been denied an opportunity to receive accurate information regarding this project. To further exacerbate the issue, KHTS radio’s website posted a very misleading article stating that all 16 board members of the Sand Canyon HOA decided to oppose the project. The article was enough to cause confusion as if the local residents had decided by a majority vote. “Stop Sand Canyon Resort,” another faction trying to mislead the community, also falsely claimed to have received more than 2,000 signatures opposing the project development. They insisted that the project must be stopped because if a resort were to be built, more than 3,000 guests would use the resort creating unbearable pressure on the local traffic, which would be impossible even if the hotel were to be occupied at full capacity. An HOA does not have the power to block local residents of their right to know and neglecting the requests of others with important interests is abusing the authority granted by the residents. In a democratic country where each individual’s thoughts are different and freedom of judgment and expression is guaranteed, is it right for arbitrary groups to formally generalize individual opinions and limit the freedom of others? Moreover, the Draft EIR prepared by experts provides that there is no major environmental impact caused by the resort development. Thus, I have decided to point out the unfair view formed based on mere speculation and unsupported by evidence. Experts were hired to study and analyze the claims regarding impact of the resort development on the community. Following are some of the concerns and opposition along with facts and links for detailed information regarding such studies done by experts. One of the misconceptions of those opposing the project is that if a fire were to erupt in the neighborhood, a bottleneck will occur due to resort guests, delaying the evacuation of residents and putting their lives in danger. However, in the event of a fire, resort guests would be asked to check out long before the evacuation order is issued to local residents. With the opening of the resort, a security company will closely monitor for possible fires and will handle the evacuation for the safety of the guests. See Wildfire Evacuation Plan https://sandcanyonresort.com/eir/attachment-1-wildfireevacuation-plan/

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

Another concern is that the resort will increase traffic on Sand Canyon Road, creating great pressure on the local traffic. Typically, the check-in and out times used by resort guests are during hours of light traffic and employees’ arrival and departure times will not overlap regular commute hours. It has already been reported in the traffic study that there is no such problem as specific alternatives such as rideshare and shuttle bus operations have been prepared. Furthermore, the project’s site is located within the Sand Canyon Country Club, just one mile from freeway 14, so congestion on the road is not enough to inconvenience residents. See this link: https://sandcanyonresort.com/eir/attachment-2-ridesharing-program/. Finally, since Sand Canyon Golf Course is designated as open space in perpetuity, it is said that you should never change the zone from Open Space to Community Commercial. However, it was confirmed that there was no problem in the construction of the resort because it was actually recorded as restricting Residential Construction in the Tract Map of the golf course. For legal opinion on open space in perpetuation, please see this link: https://sandcanyonresort.com/exhibit-a1-open-space-in-perpetuity/ In any case, in order to reduce the EIR impact, the project site was cut from the originally planned 32 acres to 24 acres by not building the 5.4 Oak Villas. Also, once the project is completed, I plan to donate 42 acres of undeveloped open space to the city. While planning this project with my purest intentions, I never imagined that it would meet so many hurdles and challenges along the way. With permission from the City, I am ready to start construction immediately. I have the construction design ready as well as secured funding. I am ready to do groundbreaking, hiring local contractors and providing high-paying jobs in in the community. I am ready to boost the depressed economy that has suffered greatly from the current pandemic. This is my value proposition for the community. It is my hope that with the support of the community, the wonderful resort that I have dreamed of will be completed as soon as possible. You can find additional information in the links below, and hope to see you all soon! See this link for project overview: https:// sandcanyonresort.com/about/project-overview/ See this link for the previous article written to the residents: http://www.insidescv. com/Eat+Drink+Play/Features/A+Request+for+ Community+Support/Content/4352

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N E W S F E AT U R E

The most famous image of Sasquatch ever recorded. This is the Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot film shot in 1967. PHOTO COURTESY U.S. FOREST SERVICE

igfoot, Squatch, Skunk Ape, Woods Devil … the Sasquatch is known by many regional names throughout the world. Tales of Sasquatch can be found throughout Native American culture. The Algonquian tribes of Eastern Canada referred to the beast as the Wendigo. Members of the Lummi in Western Washington tell tales about Ts’emekwes and Chinook tribes talk about “skoocooms” that inhabited the area around Mount St. Helens in southern Washington. In Nepal, the creature is called a Yeti, his Siberian counterpart is the Almas. The name Sasquatch originated in the 1920s when a series of stories by J.W. Burns ran in Canadian newspapers. Burns coined Sasquatch from the word Sasq’ets, meaning “wild men,” used by Salish tribes of British Columbia.

What is a Sasquatch?

Sasquatch, or Bigfoot, is considered a cryptid, a creature presumed to exist on the basis of evidence considered insufficient by mainstream science. Sasquatch is a very large, hairy, humanoid creature reputed to inhabit wilderness areas of the U.S. and Canada and range in height from 6-10 feet tall. They are believed to live in family groups in extremely remote wilderness areas.

Bigfoot Clues

Perhaps the biggest clue you are close to a Sasquatch is the smell. Those who have reported sightings

F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

eeking asquatch By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

all make note of the exceptional foul odor that accompanies the creature. The most common sign of Sasquatch activity are enormous footprints left in soft earth or mud. Footprints as large as 24 inches long and 8 inches wide have been reported. Bigfoot “nests” are large collections of forest materials, branches, leaves, pine needles and brush that can look like a giant bird’s nest or look like giant “huts” made from sticks and branches. They usually have the distinctive Sasquatch “smell,” as well. Sasquatch are also said to twist, or “weave” branches in trees along their trails. To spot a Sasquatch’s trail, look up in the trees to see the twisted or broken branches that might indicate one has passed along the way.

Where Can You Look?

More than a third of all Sasquatch sightings have occurred in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. Summer is the best time to head out to some of these remote locations to start your own search. However, now is the time to plan the logistics of your journey. (It will also give you something to do if you currently have a lot of free time.) Get your kids involved in the planning, too. First, you’ll need a map. Visit Amazon.com for the Bigfoot Touring Map of Northern California. You can also find dozens of books and other Sasquatch hunting resources. The most important thing you need to have at the ready during your Sasquatch search is a camera. Willow Creek-China Flat Museum 38949 CA-299 Willow Creek, CA 95573 Info bigfootcountry.net Known locally as the Willow Creek Bigfoot Museum, you will be greeted by a 25-foot tall Bigfoot statue on the front of the building. The Bigfoot Collection includes Bigfoot footprint

casts, Bigfoot pictures, maps and other materials exhibited in a building specifically built to house the collection. The sale of Bigfoot books and souvenirs helps fund the museum. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. The museum is open to the general public Wednesday-Sunday May through September. California Bigfoot Scenic Byway This byway start in Willow Creek from the Willow Creek Bigfoot Museum and ends at the Etna Brewery and Tap House, 231 W Miner St., Yreka, CA 96097 Info www.visitcalifornia.com/roadtrips/the-bigfoot-scenic-byway You may not spot a Sasquatch on this route, but you will definitely encounter beautiful forests and winding rivers. For the best chance of spotting the Sasquatch drive the 153 miles which passes through some of the most famous Sasquatch-sighting locations. This remote, two-lane road claims to have “most sightings of Bigfoot of anywhere in the country.” Orleans and Six Rivers National Forest 1 Ishi Pishi Road, Orleans, CA 95556 Info www.fs.usda.gov/main/srnf/ home There are more than 500,000 acres of wilderness to explore in the Orleans and Six Rivers National Forest. The small town of Orleans, is completely surrounded by the Six Rivers National Forest, and is the closest town to the site of the infamous Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot film shot in 1967. Nearly everyone has seen the controversial film which shows a blurry image of an ape-like creature walking into the woods as it turns and stares at the camera. The 655 residents of Orleans are convinced Bigfoot roams the area.

To visit the site where the Patterson-Gimlin film was shot involves an hour-long drive to the film site along Bluff Creek. The Dry Lake backcountry campground was the site of Bigfoot thermal imaging in 2011. Get to the park early, when the Sasquatch are reportedly most active. Bigfoot Discovery Museum 5497 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018 Info www.bigfootdiscoveryproject. com Michael Rugg owns the Bigfoot Discovery Museum located near Santa Cruz. Rugg, a graduate of Stanford, has been collecting Bigfoot “evidence” and memorabilia since the 1950s. You can watch the Patterson/Gimlin Film play on a continuous loop at the museum as you explore the displays of Bigfoot footprints and numerous other artifacts. The museum also documents local Bigfoot sightings in the nearby mountains with pushpins marking the spots on a topographical map. The museum, opened in 2004, is free to visit, but donations are welcome. Bigfoot Helicopter Tours Bend Municipal Airport, 63132 Powell Butte Road, Bend, OR 97701 Info https://flycascades.com/helitours/bigfoot-sasquatch-helicoptertours/ One of the easiest ways to look for Sasquatch is from the air. The tour costs $649 for 1-3 passengers and takes guests soaring over the Deschutes National Forest, near Bend, a showcase of the remote corners of prime Bigfoot habitat. There have been numerous Bigfoot sightings since 1963 in this location. Happy “Squatchin!” 

F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

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N E W S F E AT U R E

How new habits are changing our workplace By Perry Smith Sunday Signal Editor

ne thing is for sure as we look toward the future of office space: change. For most, a healthy office or workspace is a social atmosphere — try and remember the proverbial water-cooler gathering, the communal donuts we all love to share in the morning or the huddling around a conference table. And yet almost all of these aspects of office life, some of which are obviously more beloved than others, are definitely going to look different. While many if not most have been telecommuting from home for the last 11 months or so — largely thanks to Zoom, Microsoft Team Meetings, Google Meet, et al — at some point, many of us will have to rejoin the world of commuters.

Trends and cautions

Until more people are safer and secure returning back to the way things were, our new normal is likely to involve an ever-changing series of regulations for our space, as no business owner wants to be responsible for an employee or a customer catching COVID-19. Business consulting firm McKinsey noted that as early as last April, about 62% of working Americans were doing so from home — and 80% of those surveyed stated they enjoyed working from home. “Many organizations think they can access new pools of talent with fewer locational constraints, adopt innovative processes to boost productivity, create an even stronger culture and

significantly reduce real-estate costs,” according to a McKinsey report on office trends published on its website last June, which also notes that while there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. And part of this shift in culture can already be seen in some of the newer designs that started to develop before the pandemic. Vista Canyon in Canyon Country, which is one of the Santa Clarita Valley’s latest commercial and residential developments, was designed to incorporate many of the newer aspects in mind, according to developer Jim Backer of JSB Development. Operable windows, more outdoor space and an “open-roof system” are just a few of the design elements incorporated into the project, in addition to making the workspace more centrally located with respect to creating walkable attractions to allow people more opportunity to work, live and play in the same area without the need to commute. While economics can play a significant role in choosing an area, people are also looking more into what they need and want out of that space, he added. “Buildings need some reinvention,” Backer said, “they need to be reconsidered and reflect what people want in their offices now. ... Part of it is how people choose to operate.” He also noted that reopening spaces to the roofline (which also creates more airflow) is going to be more common, and people also enjoy seeing building features, such as a truss system, which can give a development a more “industrial look.” “I think that the offices are much

The city of Santa Clarita has added plexiglass shields at City Hall to protect employees and residents, one of a number of measures implemented to help keep visitors safe while continuing in-person access to vital services. PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SANTA CLARITA

Vista Canyon is one of the SCV’s newest developments and incorporates a number of aspects to make the project more connected for those who live, work and play there, according to its developer, Jim Backer. SIGNAL PHOTO

more open, they’re more free-flowing and connected,” he explained, adding that window placement has become more “egalitarian” in the sense that it’s more available to everyone in newer projects.

City Hall service

At Santa Clarita City Hall, for example, city officials wanted to make sure they could still provide help for residents as much as possible, while also keeping their office space safe for staff and guests. “For the city, we just want to make sure we’re providing the same level of service for our residents,” said Carrie Lujan, city of Santa Clarita communications manager, while making sure that we’re keeping our staff and the residents safe.” In addition to removing high-touch surfaces, such as vending machines, the city installed an ultraviolet disinfectant to its HVAC systems and keeping a close watch on the number of people circulating through City Hall’s higher-trafficked areas, such as the city’s permit center, to make sure the number of people who check in stay within the safely allowable figure.

Location, location, location

A bit of especially good news for the Santa Clarita Valley is that the decentralized approach that more and more businesses are using is a boon

for family-friendly communities like the SCV, which are considered more desirable places to live. Time was, cutting down on the commute was an important part of the decision for where you’d pick your place of residence, so a commute from a location farther from Downtown Los Angeles, for example, could be a challenge. But now that employers are seeing the benefits and capability for more remote work, that’s becoming less and less of a priority, and people are moving here and establishing more satellites, for lack of a better term, locations, without much of a central hub. “What we are seeing, and are going to continue to see — if you look at the research, the polling, the surveying, that many real estate professionals are doing — is that we’re likely to end up in a hybrid,” said Holly Schroeder, president and CEO of the SCV Economic Development Corp., describing the shaping of the new dynamic as having “changes in how often people go to the office. ... So you might have it where ... people go in a couple times a month, a couple times a week, depending on the nature of the business. And then where that office is and what that office looks like is predicted to change.” 

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F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

Snow season is here: time to hit the slopes By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

here there’s rain, somewhere there’s snow, including in the mountains near the Santa Clarita Valley. With some of the first big winter storms of the season behind us, now is as good a time as any to get out to the mountains for some snow action. “Outdoor recreation, including skiing and snowboarding, is an essential component to people’s physical and mental wellbeing,” said Justin Kanton, advertising and PR director for Big Bear Mountain Resort. Whether aiming to go skiing or snowboarding or simply to sled and have snowball fights, there are plenty of options nearby.

COVID-19 changes

Whether it’ll be your first time in the snow or you’re a seasoned pro, there are a few important COVID-19 changes to note this year. As is common these days, guests are asked to practice social distancing and required to wear masks when indoors, as well as in lift lines, on lifts, in gondolas and on shuttles. Ski resorts have also made some changes to prevent overcrowding, including limiting the sale of tickets to get on the mountain and restricting in-person ticket sales. That’s why it’s best to check each resort’s restrictions before heading up the mountain.

Mountain High

Mountain High, located in the Angeles National Forest, is one of the closest destinations to the SCV to offer skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snow play and scenic chair rides. The resort’s snowmaking system covers 80% of the mountain, and they make snow most nights to create the best possible conditions. Mountain High is about an hour away, located off Highway 2 in Wrightwood. For more information, visit mthigh.com or call (888) 754-7878.

COURTESY BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORT

If you’ve been feeling cooped up by the quarantine, then it might be a good time to drive to Snow Valley Mountain Resort in San Bernardino, which isn’t too far and offers fun for the whole family. PHOTO COURTESY SNOW VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESORT

Mammoth Mountain

With a season that lasts more than half of the year and averages 400 plus inches of snow, Mammoth Mountain is the perfect destination. It’s the highest summit elevation in California, with 3,500 skiable acres and plenty of other winter activities for those who prefer not to ski or snowboard, like tubing at Woolly’s Tube Park. For the more adventurous type, you can also take a gondola up to the summit, then either do some cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, or even rent or take a guided tour on your choice of snowmobile or snowcat. Mammoth Mountain is located just over four hours away at 10001 Minaret Road in Mammoth. For more information, visit mammothmountain. com/winter or call (800) MAMMOTH (626-6684).

Snow Valley

Snow Valley, located in the San Bernardino National Forest, has plenty of options for some snow play, as well as two mountain areas for snowboarders and skiers. “This has certainly been a very unique season, but thanks to the cooperation of our guests, we have been able to continue operations with our COVID operating guidelines in place,” added Kevin Somes, vice president and general manager of the resort. “While the experience might seem a bit different, there is still plenty of fun to enjoy on the snow.” The resort offers Southern California’s only chairlift serviced snow play and sledding area on weekends, with snow play still available on weekdays by walking up the hill. Located adjacent to the base area sun deck,

friends and family can watch participants while enjoying some food or a drink. Snow Valley is about one hour and 45 minutes away, located off Highway 18 in Running Springs. For more information, visit snow-valley.com or call (909) 867-2751.

Big Bear Mountain Resort (Bear Mountain / Snow Summit)

Big Bear Mountain Resort, also located in the San Bernardino National Forest, has two separate ski areas 3 miles apart — Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Be prepared to spend the day outdoors, as indoor operations have been eliminated at both resorts, while only those with a valid lift ticket can access either resort. Snow Summit is known for being a family-friendly resort with its Grizzly Ridge Tube Park for those non-skiers or snowboarders, while Bear Mountain is recognized for its extensive terrain parks for varying ability levels with some of California’s only halfpipes. With more than 100 inches of natural snowfall so far this season, in addition to snowmaking, both resorts expect more than two more months of activity this season. Guests must book their tube park or lift tickets in advance to ensure availability, with discounts available for groups of 15 or more. Both resorts are located about two hours away. Bear Mountain is located at 43101 Goldmine Drive in Big Bear, and Snow Summit is located at 880 Summit Blvd. For more information, visit bigbearmountainresort.com/winter or call (844) GO2BEAR (402-2327). 

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N E W S F E AT U R E

Creating sweet options for diets with restrictions By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

hen Valencia resident Trisha Del Rosso went vegan, she was certain her sweet tooth would

suffer. “I was pretty new to the options I had, and really had no clue what food to buy or even where to get it,” she said. “Sweets are my absolute favorite, but I figured there wouldn’t be many ways to make vegan desserts.” Del Rosso soon found herself pleasantly surprised that her plant-based lifestyle lent itself to the creation of unique treats that would more than satisfy that sweet tooth of hers. “It’s incredible the amount of options there actually are, with all-natural ingredients that aren’t difficult to find in-store,” she added. Whether vegan, vegetarian, gluten free or on a diet, there’s actually plenty of baked good options from bakeries right here in the Santa Clarita Valley or even to make at home. “I’ve noticed lately there are a lot of a lot more options out there in the community now,” added Kerry-Ann Miranda, owner of Madison Rose Bakery, a local gluten-free bake shop. The shop offers cookies, cakes, brownies, donuts, chocolates and just about any other sweet treat you could imagine — all with allergies-friendly

diets in mind. For Miranda, living gluten-free and vegan wasn’t a lifestyle choice, but really not a choice at all once she found out her kids had celiac disease and were allergic to gluten, among a number of other things. “I started the bakery in 2015, and I didn’t start it because I wanted to,” she said. “To be very honest, I was never into baking. My natural love is just for food in general.” Miranda named the bakery after her daughter, who had the most severe allergies at the time, and was struggling the most with the diet change. “I remember she would cry so terribly all the time … when she wanted something sweet, and back then, there weren’t as many options as there are today,” she said, adding that her heart ached for her. Soon, Miranda, who knew nothing about the dietary restrictions, began researching and testing recipes, which was slow going at first, in need of lots of trial and error. Miranda recalled a time when the cake she’d made was just not right: “When the knife went in and was lifted out, the whole cake came off the counter with it. … And I just broke into tears. I was devastated, but from that day forward, I said, ‘I am going to figure this out.’” With her family in mind, Miranda “Master Chef Jr.” contestant, Malia Brauer, 12, decorates chocolate raspberry cupcakes at her home in Newhall.

Michael Kent , 4, picks out a cupcake at Dangling Carrot Confections in Canyon Country during an opening celebration for the bakery in 2019. The bakery brought back its gluten-free Friday selection in response to popular demand. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

kept trying, and soon found herself making tasty treats that any of her kids could eat — which is how the bakery was born. Now, she bakes everything custom made to order, with special care for each customer’s dietary needs. “My aim is that if you look online and see (a special dessert) somewhere, you should be able to call me and say you want that,” she added. “Once I have all the details, usually my answer is ‘Yes,’ and if I can’t, I’ll tell you why.” Since Miranda began baking gluten-free and vegan goodies, the market for such desserts has grown tremendously, as plant-based desserts take center stage as a great alternative to the less-healthy norms. Even some of the most popular namebrands have begun offering vegan and gluten-free options, like Oreos. Locally, a number of bakeries have similar options, including Dangling Carrot Confections in Canyon Country, who are bringing back their Friday gluten-free days, with the shop serving gluten-free cupcakes every Friday in a variety of flavors, including chocolate-based, red velvet and churro. “During the pandemic, we weren’t getting as many requests for it, and we did have to shrink down our menu, but we’re definitely bringing gluten-free Fridays back again because now we’re getting more requests, especially this year,” co-owner Marlene Garcia said.

In addition, the shop makes both cakes and cupcakes gluten-free or vegan made to order for any occasion. Kupcake Kitchen also began offering gluten-free, vegan and gluten-free/ vegan options for customers at their Santa Clarita bakery after owner and chef Melissa Thomas purchased it last February. “I’m a pastry chef, so part of my repertoire is just a lot of vegan, gluten-free and dietary restriction treats … so I brought that menu to the bakery when I bought it,” Thomas said. “Just about everything we have on the menu, we have an alternative menu for those dietary restrictions.” Each day, customers can purchase vegan and gluten-free cupcakes, and sometimes brownies, depending on the season, along with the cakes and cupcakes available to custom order, while a special menu is also typically available for those restrictions during each holiday. For more information on Madison Rose Bakery, visit instagram.com/_ madisonrosebakery_ or call/text 661373-7484. Dangling Carrot Confections is located at 18836 Soledad Canyon Road in Canyon Country, and for more information, visit danglingcarrotconfections.com or call 661-523-7037. Kupcake Kitchen is located at 27737 Bouquet Canyon Road, Suite 120, in Saugus, and for more information, visit kupcakekitchen.com or call 661-2964758. 

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F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Recapturing that movie magic at the drive-in By Ken Striplin City Manager

otion pictures have captivated audiences around the world since the earliest known exhibition of the technology more than 140 years ago. Over the years, as Hollywood developed into the motion picture capital of the world, Santa Clarita also built its reputation as a desired place to create movie magic, particularly through the filming and production of early Westerns. It is no wonder then that Santa Clarita is home to thousands who work in the entertainment industry, creating masterpieces for global audiences. Truly captivating films are produced for audiences of all ages, and going to the movies is a one-of-a-kind experience, no matter how old you are. Whether you went with friends to see a pre-pandemic summer blockbuster in Canyon Country or Valencia, or you were at the Mustang Drive-In Theater (1966-1984) off Soledad

Canyon Road (near present-day Golden Valley Road) when The Beatles’ animated film, “The Yellow Submarine,” debuted, each of us can point to a moment when we saw a movie that was transformative on our life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, major movie releases have gone straight to streaming platforms in order to reach their audience. However, this has left something to be desired by casual moviegoers and film buffs alike. The City of Santa Clarita is changing that by introducing a new event for residents called “City Cinemas.” City Cinemas is a pop-up drive-in movie experience that will give residents an opportunity to watch a movie under the stars from the comfort and safety of their own vehicle. You will feel the nostalgia of piling into the car to head to the drive-in, while also making new memories with your loved ones. Premiering in March at East Walker Ranch Open Space, south of the 14 Freeway off Placerita Canyon Road, City Cinemas will be a monthly event showcasing a variety of films to enjoy. This will be an innovative use of the City’s open space, taking an area that is already closed at sunset

and offering an event with minimal traffic, noise and light concerns. Be on the lookout for an announcement from the City with details on the upcoming movie lineup and showtimes. In keeping with all public health protocols, attendees at City Cinemas will need to remain in their vehicle, and each vehicle should contain only members of the same household. To ensure a safe distance can be kept between vehicles, a limited amount of tickets will be offered for each showing. Be sure to get your tickets as soon as they are available so that you can secure your spot at the next City Cinemas event. Information on ticket prices, as well as how to purchase a ticket, will be announced shortly and posted to the City’s social media accounts. I hope you and your family enjoy a trip to City Cinemas for a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t soon forget! Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@ santa-clarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

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F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

H E A LT H

To your good health —

Rapid heartbeat appears normal on EKG By Keith Roach, M.D. Signal Contributing Writer

Dear Dr. Roach I had symptoms of lightheadedness, so my doctor ordered an EKG and sent me to a cardiologist. They did a heart monitor for a week and said I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia but that I don’t need any treatment. I’m still having symptoms. What can I do? — B.V. Answer Inappropriate sinus tachycardia is an uncommon diagnosis, most often seen in women in their 30s. The heart rate is fast (“tachycardia”), but on an EKG it appears normal, meaning it comes from the sino-atrial node, the natural pacemaker of the heart, hence “sinus.” The average heart rate must be over 90 for 24 hours. It’s important to be sure there isn’t another cause for the tachycardia, such as elevated thyroid levels, fever, dehydration or anemia. The symptoms may continue for months or

even years. Common symptoms include the lightheadedness you felt, but may also include palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness and decreased ability to exercise. The diagnosis can sometimes be confused with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, where the heart rate dramatically increases with changing to an upright position. If there is no other reason for sinus tachycardia, then medication may be used to reduce symptoms. A beta blocker is the usual first choice, but there are others available. I found some more information at https://tinyurl.com/ISTheart that may be useful for you. Dear Dr. Roach Is there such a thing as irritable male syndrome, similar to PMS in women? If it is real, does it cycle yearly or monthly? My husband is negative and blames others for things at some times more than others. Also, is there a cure or

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ways to manage it?

— Anon.

Answer The term “irritable male syndrome” was coined in 2002 in a review of animal behavior, among male animals with a strictly seasonal breeding pattern. After mating season in these animals, testosterone levels drop markedly, and the animals exhibited symptoms of nervousness and irrationality. In humans, low testosterone has a set of common symptoms, including low libido and low overall energy. Psychiatric symptoms, such as depressed mood and anxiety, are less strongly tied to low testosterone levels. Most experts do not believe that the findings in animals are analogous to what healthy men experience. While it is possible that your husband has low testosterone, and that this level may be causing a degree of irritability, it is much more likely that his behavior has a different underlying cause

than loss of testosterone. By contrast, premenstrual syndrome, where there are dramatic shifts in hormones, is clearly associated with mood swings, irritability, anxiety and depression. As the hormone changes are cyclical, so the symptoms are cyclical as well. No such cycles exist in men for testosterone. I have certainly known many irritable males, however, and anybody can be more irritable one day compared with another. I would note that, especially in men, irritability and being easily angered can be a sign of depression, among many other possibilities. Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med. cornell.edu.  © 2020 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

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F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

FOOD

Celebrate

s there anyone on earth that doesn’t like margaritas? Probably not! There’s an entire day dedicated to celebrating this iconic and beloved beverage—this year, National Margarita Day is on Saturday, February 22. There are tons of ways to make the tequila-based drinks, whether you want to keep it classic or get a little crazy. Here are a few you can try. (Delish) 

Moscato Margaritas

Margaritas get instantly better with moscato and strawberries. Blended to perfection, these are the best summer treat. If you want even more moscato, then you need to try this take on moscato margaritas. Yields: 4 Servings Prep Time: 5 Mins Total Time: 10 Mins

Ingredients

1 cup tequila 1 cup moscato 1 cup triple sec 1/2 cup lime juice 2 cups ice

Directions 1. In a small dish, pour sugar. Rim glasses with lime wedge then dip in sugar. 2. Combine strawberries, tequila, moscato, triple sec, lime juice, and ice in blender. Blend until smooth, then divide mixture between 4 glasses, garnish with lime wedges and serve. 

1/4 cup granulated sugar Lime wedges 1 cup chopped strawberries

Moscato Margaritas Mimosa Margaritas

Margarita Jell-O Shots

Mimosa Margaritas are the best combos between the two cocktails. Orange juice and champagne spiked with tequila and some juice for extra zest! Yields: 4 Servings

Yields:18 Prep Time: 5 Mins Total Time: 2 Hours 15 Mins

Ingredients 3 cup limeade 4 envelopes gelatin 3/4 cup tequilla 1/4 cup triple sec Lime wedge, for rim Coarse salt, for rim

Ingredients

2 cup orange juice 1/2 cup tequila 1/4 cup lime juice Lime wedge, for rimming glasses Coarse salt, for rimming glasses 1 bottle champagne or prosecco Orange and lime slices for serving

Directions In a pitcher, combine orange juice, tequila, and lime juice and stir to combine.

Margarita Strawberries

Rim glass rims with lime and dip in salt. Pour in orange juice mixture and top off with champagne. Add sliced oranges and limes to glasses and serve. 

Ingredients

would be the answer to our cocktail

Juice and zest of 1 lime 24 large strawberries 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

prayers.

For Margarita Mixture

Who could have guessed that a citrusy, bite sized strawberry margarita

a measuring cup for an easy pour.

1/2 cup silver tequila 1/4 cup triple sec 2 tbsp. lime juice

Yields: 24 Servings

Make strawberries Squeeze lime

Make sure you mix the margarita in

In a small saucepan, add limeade and sprinkle over gelatin. Let bloom, 2 minutes. Turn heat to medium and whisk until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in tequila and triple sec. over strawberries and toss gently to coat. In a shallow bowl, mix sugar with salt and the lime zest. Roll strawberries in sugar mixture. Make margarita In a medium measuring cup, stir together tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Pour into pipettes, then stick pipette into strawberry. Repeat until all margarita mixture is used. 

Transfer mixture to large measuring cup and divide between small plastic jello shot glasses. Place in refrigerator until set, about 2 hours. When ready to serve, run a lime wedge around the rim of each shot glass and dip into coarse salt. 

F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

Local restaurants open for dining outside

hese are unprecedented times and everyone has had to adapt to many significant changes in a relatively short period of time. Throughout the pandemic, many hardworking individuals have helped to keep the world moving forward in an uncertain time. Though many food servers have temporarily or permanently lost their jobs during the pandemic, many more have continued to work. Restaurants are vital components of local communities, serving as more than just somewhere to enjoy a great meal. Restaurants are gathering places and have helped people get out of the house during the age of social distancing. Servers are at the heart of the restaurant industry, and there are various ways to show them how much their efforts are appreciated. Leave a sizable tip Etiquette suggests customers tips servers anywhere between 15 and 20%. Because servers today are increasingly putting their

health on the line, why not increase that tip to 25 or 30%? Such tips can provide some financial relief to servers whose earnings have been adversely affected by the pandemic and a bigger tip lets servers know their efforts are appreciated. Write a thank-you note Jot a few words of encouragement on the back of the bill or receipt. If time allows, thank the server in person for a job well done. Don’t forget school staff While certain schools are still serving breakfast and lunch to students, others have had to forego in-person dining at school due to local regulations and capacity restrictions. However, food servers and other staff may still be distributing food to those who qualify for financial assistance. Food services is often an overlooked job in the school system and parents can offer small tokens of appreciation to these workers. Be courteous and kind Food servers experience all sorts of personali-

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R E S TA U R A N T S

Follow restaurant rules Policies regarding in-person dining and mask usage vary depending on local laws. Follow the rules so you don’t put servers’ health at risk. Food servers have faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. Customers can do many things to show their servers how much their efforts are appreciated. (MC) 

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F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

McDormand shines (again) — this time in ‘Nomadland’ By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Nomadland’

(out of four) 

Searchlight Pictures presents a film written and directed by Chloe Zhao, based on the book by Jessica Bruder. Rated R (for some full nudity).

“O

ne of the things I love most about this life is that there’s no final goodbye. I’ve met hundreds of people out there and I don’t ever say a final goodbye. Let’s just say, ‘I’ll see you down the road.’ And I do. I see them again.” — wisened veteran traveler of the American highways in “Nomadland” If we were to carve out a Mount Rushmore of actresses who have created a myriad of the most memorable and formidable characters in film history, we’d have to make room for Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis and Frances McDormand, and I’m going to stop right there because there are literally dozens of other worthy candidates, but definitely Frances McDormand, right? Marge Gunderson in “Fargo” and Mildred Hayes in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and Jane in “Friends With Money” and Sara Gaskell in “Wonder Boys” and Elaine Miller in “Almost Famous” and Abby in “Blood Simple,” etc., etc. Yep. We gotta save a place for Frances McDormand. McDormand has two best actress Academy Awards and a total of five acting nominations, and she will surely be nominated for her epic and soaring yet beautifully grounded work in writer-director Chloe Zhao’s transformative “Nomadland,” an instant American masterpiece that feels like something John Steinbeck might have written. It’s a crumpled-postcard road movie about the aftermath of an American Dream gone sour, when you find yourself so deep into your life you can see the last horizon, but you still have miles to go before you sleep — and you have only a vague idea about how you’re going to navigate that journey. Based on the 2017 nonfiction book “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century” by Jessi-

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

ca Bruder, this is the kind of film that grabs you from its opening moments and keeps you in its thrall. McDormand’s Fern was a substitute teacher, and her husband worked at the United States Gypsum Corp. in the company town of Empire, Nevada, but the mine closed down, and Fern’s husband, Bo, passed away — and now somewhere in her 60s, Fern is living out of a battered old van and getting by on seasonal jobs such as working at an Amazon fulfillment center. When Fern bumps into a former neighbor and her high-school daughter, the girl says (not unkindly), “My mom said you’re homeless, is that true?” to which Fern replies, “No, I’m not homeless. I’m just … houseless. Not the same thing, right?” At the aforementioned Amazon gig, Fern meets the senior citizen Linda May, who lives in an RV in an adjacent parking lot alongside Fern and dozens of other temporary workers. Linda tells Fern about the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, a real-life gathering in the La Paz County Fairgrounds in Arizona, where hundreds upon hundreds of van-dwelling nomads gather for a communal experience of selling goods and services, participating in group activities, learning tips and tricks of on-the-road self-sufficiency, and making and/or renewing lifelong friendships. Fern eventually connects with the likes of Bob Wells, Peter Spears and Swankie, all real nomads playing themselves (as is Linda May). There’s a decidedly off-the-grid, aging hippie vibe to the old-timer nomads, as embodied by Swankie, who

is dying of cancer yet speaks with joy about the glory and the wonder of the sights she’s seen from her kayak, whether it’s nests of swallows or a moose family on the banks of a river. Fern’s more of a no-nonsense type, but she surprises us when she recites a poem to a younger nomad, and when she shouts her name into an echoing canyon, as if to reaffirm her existence, her presence, her essence. The invaluable David Strathairn deserves best supporting actor consideration for his beautifully understated performance as the road-weary nomad Dave, who is retiring the odometer for good and is going to live on his adult son’s farm, and harbors hope Fern will join him. Fern also takes a quick detour to visit her sister Dolly (Melissa Smith), who is living a conventional life and doesn’t understand Fern, but instead of the establishment/rebel confrontation we expect, writer-director Zhao delivers something much more nuanced and subtle. There’s not a scene in this movie that hits a wrong note. If you miss this film, you are robbing yourself of one of the great movie-watching experiences of your life.

‘The World To Come’



Bleecker Street presents a film directed by Mona Fastvold. Written by Jim Shepard and Ron Hansen. Rated R. Opens March 2 on demand.

bigail is living the smallest of lives as a farmer’s wife in the rough country of upstate New York in 1856, wrapped in a shell of grief since the death of her young daughter the year before, resigned to an endless march of days where she will milk the cows and peel potatoes and stoke the fire before her husband joins her at the table for a simple meal and little if any conversation before it’s time for bed and the countdown of the hours until she’ll do it all over again. Then one day a couple moves into the farm just down the road, and the shy and reserved Abigail is paid a visit by Tallie, who has a twinkle of mischief in her eye, and Abigail has found a friend — a friend whose daily visits become a bright beam of sunshine in an otherwise terribly overcast exis-

tence, a friend who becomes something more than a friend. If Mona Fastvold’s “The World to Come” sounds like the stuff of a short story by a literary talent of note, that’s because it was indeed a short story by the gifted Jim Shepard, who cowrote the screen adaptation of his bleak, deliberately paced but deeply moving prose poem, with Katherine Waterston’s Abigail often taking pen to paper and serving as the voiceover narrator. Abigail’s rough-hewn husband, Dyer (Casey Affleck), surely loves his wife and would like to try to have children again, but he’s a taciturn man with a heavy weight hanging over him. It hardly seems possible, but the newly arrived Finney (Christopher Abbott) is even less polished in social situations and less openly affectionate to his wife, Tallie (Vanessa Kirby), than Dyer is with Abigail. There’s a surliness and a meanness to Finney that hints of righteous violence. Little wonder Tallie and Abigail find such joy and solace in each other’s company, sharing bits of gossip and confiding in each other, growing closer and closer emotionally and eventually physically. Dyer and Finney are not educated nor are they sophisticated men, but they begin to resent their wives’ friendship and eventually to suspect it could be a romance. Even in the lighter, sunnier moments in “The World to Come” (with the changes of season serving as obvious metaphors), there’s a sense of foreboding lurking around the corner. This is not a time and place in American history where two women could end their respective marriages and live out their lives together without repercussions. (Hell, that wasn’t the case a hundred years later.) With Romania standing in for 1850s New York state, “The World to Come” feels true to its time and place, and all four main players do a spectacularly good job of sounding and acting true to the time. Affleck and Abbott are solid in thankless, decidedly unflashy roles, while Waterston and Kirby are beautiful together. However fraught with peril their love might be, Abigail and Tallie deserve every second of bliss they find in each other. 

F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

SENIORLIVING A SECOND WIND

Humor and healthy aging By Mary Petersen Signal Staff Writer

received my second Covid vaccine a week ago. It’s hard to imagine that a full year has passed since we began this Covid journey. A year ago, there was no talk of vaccines. I knew no one who knew anyone who had Covid. At that time, jokes about Covid abounded, like these from Bestlife.com: Today’s Weather: Room Temperature. Anyone else’s car getting three weeks to the gallon? Never in my life would I imagine that my hands would consume more alcohol than my mouth. Why don’t ants get Covid? They have tiny little anty bodies. There was so much quarantine humor that comedians quipped, “We may be in the middle of a pundemic.” As life became grimmer and staying at home became a necessity, our patience and our sense of humor wore thin. As people experienced depression, anxiety and loneliness, it was hard to laugh, sometimes even smile, or find any humor in each passing day. Obviously, the worldwide pandemic that has engulfed us is no laughing matter. But there is an essential place for humor in our lives. Humor is an important coping mechanism that can see us through challenging situations and make them feel less threatening. Laughing helps us to gain perspective, build resilience and feel balanced again. Laughing is a temporary reprieve from stress and anxiety. It’s a catharsis that resets our psyche and elevates our mood. The older we get the more important humor is. A strong link has been found between good health, longevity, and smiling. In one study on humor and aging, when asked to describe what constitutes successful aging, elderly subjects mentioned a sense of humor as one of the most

important virtues. Research has shown that laughing stimulates several positive physiological changes in an older person’s body. It releases endorphins, the feel good hormones. Laughing also lowers blood pressure and increases antibodies that boost the immune system. It relaxes muscles and provides pain relief. A dose of humor also promotes good mental health and has a beneficial effect on some of the most common health concerns of aging. It decreases stress hormones like cortisol that impair short term memory and learning ability. Humor is also a great workout for the brain since interpreting a joke requires abstract reasoning. Researchers say that even the lowly pun requires the brain to shift perspective. A good laugh helps us stay positive and approach aging with its challenges in creative, inventive ways. How do you know you’re old? You stop searching for the meaning of life to focus on searching for your car keys! What goes up but never comes down? Your age! But keeping our sense of humor as we age helps us cope with changes and unexpected obstacles. So have a belly laugh at ridiculous pet videos or watch a decades-old TV sitcom. Let’s share funny stories with friends, tell cringe-worthy jokes, play games and laugh at ourselves. As the familiar quote states, “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop laughing.” Mary Petersen is a retired COC English instructor, a 30-year SCV resident and two-time breast cancer survivor. 

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F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

HOME

Do-it-yourself strategies to deep-clean carpeting

hat’s underfoot in a home can go a long way toward making residences comfortable and aesthetically appealing. A study of home buyer preferences using data from the National Association of Realtors® found that 54% of home buyers were willing to pay more for a home with hardwood flooring. But that doesn’t mean that carpeting doesn’t still have its devotees. In 2019, the real estate firm Opendoor installed nearly one million yards of carpeting in its homes. Houzz reports that, in 2018, 17% of renovating homeowners purchased carpets and 50% purchased indoor rugs. Carpeting and rugs can offset some of the shortcomings of hardwood, providing a softer texture that makes for a better landing spot for active young children. However, carpets will require more maintenance than hardwood floors. Learning how to deep clean carpets can help homeowners, as vacuuming is not enough to keep carpets in top form.

Spot clean stains

Stores sell a bevy of carpet cleaning solutions. When applying such solutions, do so in an inconspicuous area of the room to ensure colorfastness

Women, club soda also works as a cleanser when it is sprayed on a stain.

Deep cleaning

of the carpet and that the solution does not adversely affect the fibers. If the spot is clean and the carpet is not adversely affected, you can then apply the solution to more visible areas. Homeowners who prefer all-natural cleaning solutions rather than chemicals can use a solution of white vinegar, baking soda and salt to make a safe cleanser, according to The Spruce. Soak the stain, use a scrub brush to work in the cleanser and then blot up the liquid with a clean cloth. According to the lifestyle resource First for

Carpets periodically need to be revitalized, and that can be accomplished with a specialized cleaning machine. Many are available for purchase (a good investment for homeowners with kids and/or pets), while others can be rented as needed. Remove all of the furniture from a room and vacuum to clean dust, dander and any other debris. Address any darker stains first by pretreating with a cleaning solution. Let sit for around 20 minutes. While waiting, learn how to operate the machine, fill it and clean out the soiled water. Never allow the machine to oversaturate the carpet with water, as it can get into the padding and subfloor, causing problems like mold or wood damage. Spray the water-detergent solutions, and then pass the carpet cleaner over spots repeatedly until the carpet feels only slightly damp. DoItYourself. com advises running the machine at the pace of one foot per second. Removing shoes when entering the home can keep carpets clean and reduce wear and tear. With frequent deep cleaning, carpets can maintain a like-new appearance for years. (MC) 

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F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

How to do your online shopping like a pro that adapts with your spending, such as the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card that lets you earn 3% cash back in a category of your choice,” Brown said. “Hint: Online shopping is one of those categories. The rewards don’t expire, and if you are a Preferred Rewards member, you could boost your rewards by 25-75%, which means you could earn up to 5.25% cash back on your transactions. These rewards can be redeemed into your savings account as money for future shopping.”

Double check return and exchange policies

ver the past year, online shopping has become the norm for all kinds of purchases, from groceries and household essentials to gifts and clothing. Shopping for clothes and other items from the comfort of your home has multiple advantages, including the convenience to shop on your own schedule and the ability to do more thorough research to get the best prices before you buy. However, if you’re not used to doing it, shopping online for items you typically purchase at brick and mortar stores can be daunting. To make your online shopping experiences more efficient and successful, consider these tips from Kellie Brown, fashion influencer and author of the “And I Get Dressed” blog.

Look around for good deals

If you have your eye on a particular item, shop around on multiple sites for it. Prices can vary from one website to another, and you could be missing out on big savings by not doing your research. When you’re comparing items, be sure to pay attention to details. Verify model or style numbers, colors and other specifics to ensure you’re comparing apples to apples. Ultimately, you may find the same item with a slight difference that you’re willing to accept for a better price. Be sure you’re checking diligently so you have all the data you need to make a well-informed decision.

Doing research online may also help you locate discount codes that can help bring down the price if you buy from a specific online retailer.

Know your measurements

Clothing is one category that shoppers either love or hate to buy online. Brown sees one distinct advantage: skipping the fitting room. “Shopping for clothes online can seem daunting, but one of the biggest perks is being able to avoid the dreaded dressing room experience,” Brown said. “I hate the process of waiting in line, the overhead lighting, wonky mirrors and having to evaluate clothing in a flash.” Buying online lets you ditch the fitting room in favor of the comfort of your own home, where you can take time to consider your new garments in private. Brown cautions that the first rule of shopping for clothes online is recognizing sizing isn’t always universal. For example, a size 18 from one store may fit completely different at another store. If you know your measurements, you can compare those with the listed size chart. That way, you can select the best size for specific brands or products.

Use the right credit card

Joining a store’s loyalty program can be advantageous if you are a frequent shopper at a specific brand or retailer. Also, it’s important to realize not all credit cards are the same, and some offer rewards for online shopping, including cash back. “The most versatile option is a card

Make sure you know the return policy of the retailer you’re shopping with to ensure your return or exchange will be accepted, if necessary. Being an avid online shopper, Brown offers a few important tips for dealing with items that may need returned. Many stores won’t accept open packages or clothing with tags removed, so be sure you know the

guidelines before tearing into your packages when they arrive. You should also check whether you can return items to a local store, if there’s one available, or if you’ll have to ship a return, and find out who is responsible for return shipping costs. It’s also important to be conscious of timing since most retailers have specific rules about how long you have to return an item. Some use the order date as the starting point while others use the delivery date. Especially with shipping delays that may occur, be clear on dates before you order. Many stores offer extended returns windows, but it’s still smart to know the expectations up front. Online shopping can save you valuable time and money, especially when you’re smart about your purchases. Find more information at bankof america.com/morerewarding. (Family Features) 

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F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

GARDENING

Prepare for your

garden

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

hile many landscapes are slumbering through the winter in North America, our gardens offer plenty of outdoor activities for the Santa Clarita gardener. Historically, February is the wettest month — this year doesn’t appear to be the norm. Nonetheless, it’s still an important month for landscaping. Preparing for the spring garden now is more important than ever. Take advantage of cooler, wetter weather to redesign and plant for a rewarding landscape in spring and one that will handle whatever our climate will be offering in the future. Regular monthly chores should be handled before active spring growth starts — and with warmer temperatures, growth is happening earlier each year. Garden jobs still include tree planting, pruning and trimming. Sap will start flowing soon so the window for creating minimal shock, bleeding and infection with cuts and root disturbance is coming to a close. Cutting back ornamental grasses and flowering perennials in February will keep these plants shapely and give them a good start for next year’s growth. Pruning will also create less of a water demand on root systems when active growth begins.

Indoor work

On rainy or chilly days there is indoor work to be done for the garden. Now is the time to sketch out ideas for design changes, to plan construction projects, to renovate and update areas and to make your landscape more sustainable. By sketching out your ideas before you start work you will maintain better control of your budget, your time schedule, the materials you will need and catch potentially expensive mistakes before they become a reality. You can also do some hands-on gardening indoors during inclement weather. Try starting delicate flowers, hard-to-find plants and get an early jump on the most cold-sensitive edibles by growing them from seed in a window or under a grow light. Most people delay working on their gardens until the springtime rush. But summer heat has been showing up earlier and earlier for the past half-dozen years, cutting short the chance for delicate growth to prepare for our scorching sun. With summer arriving early and lasting longer, autumn and winter are turning into our best growing seasons. Frosts are less of a threat than they were a decade ago, too, so we can now plant and seed many flowers and edibles in February.

Start traditional work now

This means you can start the traditional spring garden as early as this month. But do outdoor planting and seeding with caution. Very sensitive

plants that don’t like temperatures under 45⁰ may need some extra protection during chilly nights. Keep newspaper or cloth like burlap available to throw over less hardy plants when frost is predicted. Or wait one more month. Waiting is best for planting edibles like tomatoes (cherry tomatoes are the hardiest), peppers, corn and squash and for tender flowers.

Spring-blooming bulbs

This is the last chance to get spring-blooming bulbs and bare-root trees and shrubs into the garden since many of these are already sprouting into active growth. They will still be fine if you pop them into the ground and keep them deeply watered. They just require more care as they break dormancy. Most of our local garden centers bring in plants that are ready to be planted. Some nurseries keep stock year round. Plants that have spent months or even years growing in the local climate will have an easier adjustment to you garden environment than those raised and shipped in from growers from further away. Which reminds me, don’t believe everything you read. Just because a tag says a plant will like full sun does not mean you should set it out in the full sun of Santa Clarita. Most plant material is raised and imported here from artificially controlled greenhouse environments all over the country. Tags are written for the average garden nationwide. Our sun is more intense than most areas. If a tag says give it a full or half-day of sun, you might find it will burn here without more shade.

Filling in empty areas

One handy tip for February is how to fill in

empty landscape areas. Vacant spaces can be quickly and easily populated by lightly raking in a fistful of wildflower seeds. They can also be sprinkled liberally between small trees, shrubs and flowering plants that have yet to grow into the space they will need when mature. If rain doesn’t come, keep seeds moist — at least on the surface. Once they sprout, they will grow and bloom quickly to fill those spaces with rampant color. Most are annuals so they are not likely to crowd out the longer-lived perennials as they grow. And who knows? You might be lucky to have some self-seed to dot the area with a new generation next year — for free. The weather is cool and comfortable for working outdoors in the winter months. You can allow leaves to remain as mulch on the ground for a little longer if you want. They will help keep soil moist after rains, letting it penetrate deeper rather than evaporating right away. But feel free to clean up dead stems, sticks and flower heads. Neatening the landscape up now will save work later. February is also the perfect time to start building projects. If you put in that outdoor room, replace your lawn, set up the new child or pet area or install a place for games or entertainment, you’ll be ready to enjoy your new outdoor extended living space as soon as the weather calls you out to play — with landscape features that will require no costly irrigation. For more information about gardening in the Santa Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://youtube.com/user/Janieg8s. 

F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 9

Expert tips for welcoming a new kitten home

PETS

ostering kittens and cats has risen in popularity during these unprecedented times, and many pet lovers are becoming fosters to help overcrowded animal shelters. Fostering a kitten can be a fun and exciting time, but it may also come with a learning curve. Among the 43% of respondents to a Royal Canin survey, who have fostered a pet, 6 in 10 have “foster failed” and permanently adopted the pet they were fostering. Most pet owners who responded also agree the first year of pet ownership is the most important, but 64% believe it is the most difficult, as well. Whether you’re fostering or adopting a kitten, learn how to give your kitten proper care during her first weeks and months with you with this advice from the experts at Royal Canin.

Arriving home

The new sights, sounds and smells in your home, and the separation from her mother, may make your kitten feel stressed. Keeping the environment calm and quiet can ease the transition. When you arrive home, put the cat carrier in the room you’ve prepared for the kitten with the kitten still inside, allowing her to get acclimated before opening the door. Then allow the kitten to explore a closed-off area. Resist the urge to cuddle your kitten right away. As your kitten gains confidence in its new surroundings, she will want to explore more. Make sure the environment is prepared with electrical wires and outlets covered; windows, balconies and stairs secured; and small

Whether you’re fostering or adopting a kitten, it is important to learn how to give your kitten proper care during the first weeks and months with you. PHOTO CREDIT GETTY IMAGES

or sharp objects put away so she can safely explore with your supervision. If there are possible hazards, a designated room with windows and plenty of social contact for the first few weeks may be better.

Creating a safe place

Ongoing care

Your kitten should see a veterinari-

Kittens like quiet, cozy places. You can often find them in the most unusual places.

20 0 2

Kittens can tire easily. After a little exploration time, give your kitten access to a bed in a cozy, quiet place with access to water, food and a litter box. Turning out the light helps establish sleep patterns, but on the first night you might want to leave a night light on to help with the adjustment. Provide somewhere quiet to eat. This should be somewhere your kitten feels secure, away from where you and any other pets eat. Cats don’t like to eat too near their litter boxes and should always have fresh water available. As kittens grow rapidly, their digestive and immune systems develop slowly and they have specific nutritional needs that are different from adult cats. Any sudden changes in your kitten’s diet can cause digestive trouble, so for the first few days, keep the same feeding routine as the previous caretaker. You can slowly switch to a different routine, if you choose, and transition to kitten food suitable for the appropriate growth stage. For example, Royal Canin Kitten formulas are tailor-made with optimal vitamins and minerals to support healthy development.

an as soon as possible. In addition to a general health check, your vet can help you create a vaccination schedule and give advice on deworming, nutrition and more. Always use a carrier to transport your kitten safely while in the car and into the vet’s office. Gradually introducing your kitten to new experiences can help with socialization. New sounds can startle a kitten, so be ready to offer plenty

of reassurance. You may also need to introduce new terrain like stairs or unfamiliar surfaces. Gentle play and careful handling can help your kitten become more comfortable with being touched. Learn more about proper cat nutrition and how to create a welcoming home at royalcanin.com. (Family Features) 

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F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

A tasty slow-cooker granola the family will enjoy By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

e’re a granola-eating family. When the tall jar in our pantry reads almost empty, it’s time to stir up and bake a new batch. It’s never a chore, because the fresh homemade taste of heart healthy oats with nuts and dried fruit always satisfies, whether combined with yogurt and berries at breakfast, or sprinkled over a scoop of ice cream for an evening dessert. No wonder I was curious when a friend suggested I make granola in my slow cooker instead of baking it in the oven. Skeptical, I gave it a try and loved the results. In fact, it’s a game-changer. I stick with my basic recipe that never disappoints. The hand-crafted, economical blend is open to variations, like substituting cashews for

dry ingredients and toss well until fully coated.

the almonds or pecans. When I buy a jug of fresh local maple syrup, I leave out the brown sugar entirely. For variety, I’ll cut up something unusual, like dried persimmons, to toss in at the end with the raisins.

4. Turn slow cooker to high. Set a wooden spoon under one side of the lid to hold the lid open, slightly ajar. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until toasted, stirring mixture well every 30 minutes.

Tasty slow-cooker granola

Cooking spray or olive oil 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking) 1/2 cup brown sugar* 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup coarsely chopped whole almonds 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans 1/2 cup canola oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 egg whites, slightly beaten 1/2 cup raisins** 1. Prepare the slow cooker: Spray the cooking spray on the bottom and sides of a 3-quart or larger slow cooker, or lightly coat with oil.

5. Stir in raisins and spread mixture on a baking sheet to cool. Store in jars or in an airtight container. Makes about 6 cups. *Substitute brown sugar with 1/2 cup maple syrup, honey or agave syrup, and combine with liquid ingredients before tossing with dry ingredients.

2. Combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and nuts in a slow cooker. 3. Stir together the oil, vanilla and egg whites in a small bowl. Add to

**In addition to (or instead of) raisins, use your favorite dried fruit, chopped. TIP To give as a gift, let kids draw a label to glue to a mason jar. It might say “The Johnsons’ World’s Best Granola.” Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”  © 2020 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 1

AUTOMOTIVE

What to look for when test driving preowned vehicles

reowned vehicles have become hot commodities in recent years, reflecting a change in what drivers are looking for when it’s time to get a new ride. According to the market and consumer data experts at Statista, preowned vehicle sales increased every year between 2014 and 2019 and more than doubled the number of new cars sold each year during that period. For example, in 2019 United States car buyers purchased 40.8 million preowned vehicles and right around 17 million new vehicles. There are many reasons why more car buyers are increasingly looking to the preowned vehicle market when replacing their existing vehicles. Certified preowned vehicles have increased consumer confidence in used cars and trucks and extended warranties have helped ease concerns buyers may have about such vehicles.

get a feel for preowned vehicles and prospective buyers can consider various factors to determine if a given car or truck is for them.

As reliable as preowned vehicles can be, prospective buyers must remain diligent when considering a used car and truck. Potential mechanical issues can be discussed with a mechanic of buyers’ choosing, but it’s up to drivers to gauge other factors that can affect how enjoyable it may or may not be to drive a given vehicle. Test drives remain a great way to

Comfort Comfort is a big consideration when purchasing new vehicles, and there’s no reason to downplay the importance of comfort when shopping for preowned vehicles. Consider the available headroom and legroom when test driving a vehicle, but also take note of comfort-based accessories that the vehicle may or may not have. For example, if you’ve grown accustomed to heated seats on your existing vehicle, then a preowned vehicle without such seats, or one without functioning heated seats, will likely bother you in the years to come. Visibility Sight lines vary from vehicle to vehicle, so make sure your test drive is long enough to give you an accurate idea of a vehicle’s visibility. Blind spots may not differ much in

new versus older models or even in vehicles made by the same manufacturer, but they can differ considerably between manufacturers (i.e., Toyota versus Nissan). Get a feel for blind spots during the test drive to determine if the you’ll be comfortable driving a given vehicle. Connectivity Modern vehicles are designed to connect with our devices, and drivers have quickly grown to prioritize connectivity. Compatibility with devices can make it easier to use GPS and stream music while driving, so don’t hesitate to connect your phone when test driving a vehicle. If the car and phone are incompatible, that can affect how much you enjoy driving the car. Preowned vehicles are incredibly popular. Buyers considering used cars or trucks can look for certain things during a test drive to determine if a given vehicle is the right fit for them. (MC) 

Understanding what ‘certified-preowned’ vehicle means

CPOs versus other used cars

The auto industry data aggregator Black Book notes that CPOs tend to have low mileage and clean accident

histories. It’s possible, though unlikely, that vehicles that don’t meet such criteria could be designated as CPOs.

Extended warranties, perks

Another significant difference between CPOs and more traditional used cars is that the former tend to be sold with extended manufacturers’ warranties. Certified preowned vehicle buyers also may be offered perks similar to those offered to new car buyers, such as free roadside assistance or complementary satellite radio service, for a predetermined period of time.

Consider all options

While it may seem like a no brainer for used car buyers to purchase CPOs, the consumer advocacy experts at Consumer Reports suggest that the decision is more complicated. Analysts at CR have suggested that the biggest advantage to CPOs is their extended warranties, which can be expensive. Having a vehicle inspected by a private mechanic consumers trust prior to purchase may be a better way for budget-conscious car buyers to allocate their funds than purchasing a CPO

simply because of its extended warranty. If the mechanic gives the vehicle a clean bill of health, consumers can then rest easy knowing they exercised their due diligence and did so without having to pay for a potentially costly extended warranty. Ultimately, the decision is up to buyers, who can conduct a cost analysis to determine just how much they may or may not save. Certified preowned vehicles are an option car buyers can consider prior to purchasing their next car or truck. (MC) 

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he days when buying a used car was akin to a game of chance are largely a relic of the past. Though it’s still possible that used car buyers could end up with a lemon, the preowned vehicle market has changed dramatically and for the better over the last couple of decades. One of the more notable changes surrounding used vehicles over the last 20 years is the rise of certified preowned cars and trucks, or CPOs. The COVID-19 pandemic affected sales of CPOs in 2020, but the vehicle transaction experts at Cox AutomotiveTM report that more than a quarter million CPOs were sold in May of 2019. First-time car buyers or those accustomed to purchasing new vehicles can learn more about CPOs before buying their next cars or trucks. Such knowledge may help them make the most informed decision possible before they sign on the dotted line and drive their next vehicle off the lot.

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Opinion

Unless otherwise stated, the views and opinions expressed are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Signal.

READERLETTERS

A Sister’s Love This morning I learned my sister died; not my blood sister, but my sister by choice and mutual adoption, which can result in an even stronger bond than one related by blood. We were friends more than 40 years, and considered ourselves sisters for perhaps the last 25. We lived 35 or 40 miles apart, and usually met for lunch at least every two or three months, midway between our homes. We spoke frequently by phone, sometimes daily, sometimes every three or four days, but always kept in touch. We celebrated birthdays, Christmas, children’s weddings, births of grandchildren, and, with me, even great-grandchildren. We shared our happy times as well as our times of sadness, sorrow and difficulty. We talked over problems and took pleasure in being reliable listeners. We both loved people, and did our best to raise the level of love within society. This death seemed to come so suddenly that I was definitely not prepared for it, and I’m sure, neither was she. Though, perhaps we are never prepared fully for the death of a dearly loved one. It was not related to COVID, but her health became suddenly so severe that I never got to have last words with her, as she was placed in an induced coma from which she was never fully released before her death. I was not allowed to visit, due both to her condition as well as COVID. Even her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were not allowed to visit in person until the very end. My reason for discussing this is to remind us all, particularly myself, and especially during this time when we are most often separated from our dear ones, just how important it is to let them know, in one way or another, that we love and cherish them. Optimally this would happen regularly and often. Expressing to friends and family just how much they enrich our lives is a bonus both for ourselves as well as for them. I will greatly miss my sister. As the day passes, I absent-mindedly think about something to tell her when we talk again soon; then the tears and sadness return when I realize that will not be easy or possible. I will leave her folder on my computer, as I have left the folders of other friends no longer in this world. I will not forget the bond that we had for these many years, and think about her with much love, touched with great sadness. Goodbye, Sweet Sister! Sally White Valencia Submit a Letter to the Editor

F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

Include name, address & phone; Anonymous letters aren’t printed; email: letters@signalscv.com.

Contact: Tim Whyte, Signal Editor Phone: 661-287-5591 | Email: letters@signalscv.com Mail: 26330 Diamond Place, Suite 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

E T H I C A L LY S P E A K I N G

Looking for Joy vs. Happiness By David Hegg

t appears to me that the great American pastime is no longer baseball, or for that matter, anything even remotely related to sport. No, it is much more consuming than any passion for a team or city could be. It is the addiction we have to happiness. Our days have become a constant pursuit of this feeling. From the moment the alarm announces the day, our default settings move us in line with our preset preferences in a harried attempt to squeeze happiness — even small amounts! — out of every task, every thought, every moment. We look for it in a cup of coffee, the newspaper and some moments of quiet. We tune in to find it on our favorite radio station or podcast as we drive to work, even as we’re hoping to get a shot of happiness by outmaneuvering the other cars on the on-ramp. We get a little dose when the semi in front of us on the freeway exits, leaving us four whole car lengths of space, which we quickly cover with a happy little push on the gas pedal. And so it goes. We go through the day using carefully honed strategies to attract bits and pieces of happiness, all in an attempt to hold at bay the truth that gnaws at us from inside. It is the ever-present truth that this world, with its demands and complexities, its consistent injustices, its decay and brokenness, and its pervasive declaration that we are truly powerless to control our destiny — much less the traffic or our children’s health! — appears to be an invincible storm progressively eroding whatever optimism we may have about life. And, sensing that there is little we can do to stop the erosion, we convince ourselves that little shots of happiness, intentional indulgences, can get us through the day. And for a time, this works. That is, until the day when all the little things we have programmed to bring happiness simply don’t work anymore because the exciting has become mundane. So, I have a suggestion, actually more of a theory, and perhaps better yet, it is a research project. What if, in seeking happiness, we are actually looking for the wrong thing? What if happiness — that emotional lift we gain as a response to some circumstance — turns out to be what salt water is to the thirsty? What if happiness turns out to be the very cause of the disease it claims to cure? That is, what if happiness really doesn’t satisfy our longing, but only serves to increase our need for more and more of it? Can it be that we could become addicted to the pursuit of

happiness, and all the while not realize that, for all our efforts, the despair and discouragement that serve as the very wallpaper of our lives have not been at all diminished, but have actually become more and more prominent as the temporary excitement of circumstance-induced happiness comes in packages of diminished duration? I believe I have experienced this, over and over, all my life. And I think I’m not the only one who is tempted almost every day to find some new spigot of excitement, some new experience — maybe a new sports car! — that will infuse my life with large doses of happiness. But I believe there is a better way. I have come to believe that happiness, while nice if and when it happens, isn’t worth pursuing. On the other hand, joy is. While happiness is the result of circumstances, joy is the fruit of beauty. And here’s the good part: Just as the duration of the happiness is tied absolutely to the frequency and duration of the circumstance, so also joy, both in its intensity and its longevity, is tied absolutely to the depth and duration of beauty. If drinking a nice cup of coffee makes you happy, that’s good, but only for a little while. But, if while drinking that cup of coffee you come to enjoy the beauty of friendship, you’ll tap into something much more long-lasting. Joy is the sense of wellbeing that permeates our souls as we come to appreciate the beauty around us. For me, life is worth living, and actually satisfying because I am constantly refreshed by those sources of beauty that cannot be eroded by the circumstances of this world. All around me are the gifts of beauty provided by God, the author of beauty. Loving my wife comes immediately to mind, and my wonderful children and grandchildren whose love is so life-giving. I could add myriad other things like beautiful sunsets, long, unhurried walks, low-maintenance friends, and rich chocolate and coffee shared with those who will always walk in even as others are walking out. Yes, circumstances flood our existence daily, often bringing sadness and pain in varying amounts. Yet, in the experience of love, shared with those who are journeying the path of life with us, we experience a deep and essential joy that is not dependent upon circumstantial happiness but on the reality that beauty exists in this world if you know where to find it. Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

F E B R UA RY 21, 2021

SOLUTIONS

PUZZLES

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CROSSWORD TIME

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